The Imo State House of Assembly has eventually passed the Imo electricity bill into law after prolonged considerations.
The bill which aims to improve electricity access and regulation was passed after much deliberations by members of the house.
Sponsor of the bill and Majority Leader of the House, Kanayo Onyemaechi, representing Owerri West Constituency said the bill was drawn from the Federal Electricity Act of 2023 which empowers states to have a legal framework to issue licenses and regulate electricity agencies in their respective states.
Onyemaechi informed that the electricity landscape in Nigeria was undergoing a significant transformation, signaled by the enactment of the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023.
He said the new legislation represents a significant shift in the industry, ushering in an era of increased competition and innovation across the entire electricity value chain.
“ Under the Act, states can now issue licenses for mini-grids and power plants, decentralizing the process and enabling local decision-making for electricity generation and distribution.
“ Furthermore, the Act encourages the adoption of renewable energy sources, a crucial step towards achieving a more sustainable and resilient electricity system” he said.
C-Advocate reports that the bill seeks to improve the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in the state.
The legislation intends to establish a regulatory framework for the Imo State electricity market to ensure a reliable and sustainable electricity supply within the state.
Onyemaechi further pointed out that key provisions of the bill include the creation of an electricity market within the state to improve access to electricity for its residents, and the establishment of a regulatory framework for the electricity market, designed to guarantee the supply of electricity and protect the interests of consumers.
He further maintained that with the passage of the bill, the state’s residents can expect to enjoy the same benefits afforded by the federal Electricity Act of 2023, including:
Empowering the State Government to craft electricity policies that align with the state’s specific needs, improving service quality and accessibility.
“ The bill will also create room for a more competitive electricity market which will foster innovation, leading to better services and lower prices for consumers”, he said.
He added that it would encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources which he said will lead to cleaner, more sustainable power generation and a healthier environment.
